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Title:
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Approval of a Five-Year Professional Services Agreement, Renewable Annually, with the Ferguson Group, L.L.C. for Federal Advocacy Services.
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City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council approve a five-year professional services
agreement with the Ferguson Group, L.L.C. of Washington, D.C. for federal
advocacy services.
The agreement, which may be renewed on an annual basis, shall not exceed
$45,000 over five years.
BACKGROUND:
Since 1998, Culver CityBus has been a member of the Municipal Transit Operators
Coalition (MTOC) which lobbies federal legislators on an annual basis for funding for
buses and bus facilities. Currently, MTOC is comprised of seven Los Angeles
County transit agencies including Culver CityBus, Santa Monica Big Blue Bus,
Torrance Transit, Montebello Bus Lines, Commerce Transit, Gardena Transit, and
Norwalk Transit.
Since its inception, MTOC has been successfully represented in Washington, D.C.
by the Ferguson Group L.L.C. Based on the size of their agencies, MTOC members
split the costs of retaining the Ferguson Group and also split any Congressional
earmarks that Ferguson is able to obtain.
MTOC members have been pleased with the work of the Ferguson Group L.L.C. and
have renewed Ferguson’s contract every year on a sole source basis. The
Meeting Date: December 8, 2008 Item Number: C-9
AGENDA ITEM: Approval of a Five-Year Professional Services Agreement,
Renewable Annually, with the Ferguson Group, L.L.C. for Federal Advocacy
Services.
Contact Person/Dept.: Grace Eng Nadel/
Transportation
Phone Number: (310) 253-6543
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: []
Public Notification: Master E-Mail Notification List (12/03/08)
Department Approval:
Art Ida (11/24/08)
City Attorney Approval:
Carol Schwab (by H. Baker) (12/02/08)
Chief Financial Officer Approval:
Jeff Muir (by M. Noller) (12/02/08)
City Manager Approval:
Jerry B. Fulwood (12/02/08) City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
Ferguson Group L.L.C was originally chosen by MTOC because the firm already
worked for a number of MTOC cities.
DISCUSSION:
Culver CityBus has realized a number of benefits from its participation in MTOC and
from its association with the Ferguson Group.
First, Culver CityBus has received critical federal transit capital dollars in the past
years from Congressional earmarks above and beyond what it spends in lobbying
fees and expenses. In the past five years, MTOC received over $3 million to fund
future capital projects. This has translated to $351,811 for Culver CityBus, which
has helped to fund the Automated Vehicle Locator projects and the expansion of the
CNG station. Expenses to Culver City, including lobbying fees and travel, have
averaged approximately $9,000 annually.
Second, MTOC, through its annual trip to Washington, D.C., is able to keep its
legislators and their staffs informed about the contribution of local municipal bus
agencies to mobility in Los Angeles. Several of MTOC’s Congressional Members
have praised MTOC for presenting a regional request which could be sponsored by
the five Congressional representatives.
This next year is critically important for MTOC to have a presence in Washington,
D.C. as Congress makes a decision about the next Transportation Reauthorization
Bill for 2009 which would allocation transportation funds for the following three years.
We have heard from several sources that Congress will be looking to support
Transportation projects that are regional and have environmental benefits. MTOC’s
request for transit capital projects would be highly qualified should Congress decide
to take this approach.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
Culver CityBus’ share of the Ferguson Group contract for calendar year 2009 is
$8,013.97 and will be paid for by the Culver CityBus Enterprise Fund. No General
Funds will be used.
Sufficient funds for the Ferguson Group’s services have been included in the FY 08-
09 budget. Staff would request in each subsequent fiscal year budget the necessary
appropriation to cover the annual cost of the agreement for that year. The $45,000
figure over five years anticipates modest increases in the fees for the Ferguson
Group.
City of Culver City, California
City Council Agenda Item Report
ATTACHMENTS:
None.
MOTION:
That the City Council:
1. Approve a five-year professional services agreement, with Ferguson Group
L.L.C., renewable on an annual basis and not-to-exceed $45,000 over five
years; and
2. Authorize the City Attorney to review/prepare the necessary documents and
authorize the City Manager to execute such documents on behalf of the City.